engleski

IT-Based Innovation in the Nonprofit Environment: Experiences from a Croatian Library Case

In this paper, the IT-based innovation in the library environment is being discussed and linked to the existing situation in the library practices and management. It is suggested that the need for restructuring procedures and processes in libraries, being inherently the non- profit institutions, arises from the competitive pressures from the other information providers and the increased library patrons' expectations. This can be achieved by reengineering the library processes by using the contemporary technology, which includes the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and (in the longer run) by designing "virtual libraries", with holdings consisting of e-books, which can be borrowed over the electronic networks. Although the technology-based innovation opportunities are usually limited by the lack of library staff training, inadequate strategic orientation, or other organizational deficiencies, the situation in Croatia is rather paradoxical, as the long overdue implementation of the nationwide inter-library information system seems to represent the main obstacle to the innovation processes.

Innovation; Information technology; RFID; Academic libraries

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